Carton



June 23, 1964 F. REIFERS ETAL 3,138,314

CARTON 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 14, 1965 FIG. 1 +2 IN VENTOR Richard E Heifers Henry A. Lord HQRL w-L.OC\C

ATTORNEY June 1954 R. F. REIFERS ETAL 3 CARTON Filed Feb. 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L A A A INVENTOR Richard E Re/fers Henry A, Lord BY KARL (1). :FLOCKS Q ATTORNEY United States Patent Corporation, New York, N.Y.., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 258,524 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-25) This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to improvements in molded pulp articles.

This application constitutes a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Serial No. 171,174 filed February connected together, an improved lock flap for detachably retaining the lid in closing relation on the tray.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved lock flap for cooperating with an integrally molded tray and lid, in which the lock flap includes a double lock structure facilitating simultaneous operation of the locks in addition to rigidifying the lock flap as well as stabilizing the lock flap structure during production.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved lock flap for molded pulp cartons of the character involved in which the lock buttons are stabilized during production of same for proper orientation after the carton is dried, and in which such stabilizing structure rigidifies the lock flap to the degree to provide a lock which is highly practical and adaptable in cartons of the character involved.

Other objects and the nature and advantagesof the instant invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 1

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a carton incorporating the improved lock structure;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section, showing the portions of FIG. 2 when the carton is locked;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the improved lock flap of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan View looking into the carton bottom section and at the rear of the lock flap thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section taken substantially on the plane of line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially on the plane of line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to a portion of FIG. 3.

The present invention is shown on an egg carton and may be utilized thereon or on a similar container which incorporates a bottom section, lid section and lock flap section, in which the lid and lock flap sections are articulated or hingedly connected to the bottom section so that they will automatically snap lock together, in a closed condition, and yet be readily and quickly releasable for access to the carton contents.

Referring to the drawings, a molded pulp carton is indicated generally at 10 and includes a cellular bottom section 12 formed as a 3 by 4 style molded pulp carton for containing eggs, for example.

. section 12 in spaced parallel relation to the hinge connec lice The carton is molded in any suitable manner, and the bottom section 12 includes an upper peripheral margin 14 having hingedly connected at the forward edge 16 a lock flap indicated generally at 18,

Hingedly connected to the rear edge at the bottom tion 16 is a lid indicated generally at 20, the lid including a substantially planar top wall 22 integral with outwardly flared depending side walls including a front wall 24. The lid section 20 includes a lower peripheral, marginal flange 26 which will engage on the lower peripheral margin 1 of the bottom section 12.

The forward wall 24 of the lid section 20 has formed therein a pair of longitudinally spaced apertures 28 which extend substantially into the intersection between the walls 22 and 24, the apertures including a lower abutment edge 30.

The lower marginal flange 14 of the bottom section 12 has formed therein a pair of notched out portions 32 flanking opposite ends of the lock flap section 18 to per-' mil: ready hinged movement thereof.

The lock flap section 18 will normally be disposed in the position as seen in FIG. 2, and will snap beneath the wall 24 of the lid section 20 asillustrated for example, in FIG. 3.

The lock flap section 18 comprises a substantially planar base 34 terminating in a lower outwardly directed foot-portion 36 integral with the hinge connection 16. Thus the lock flap section has a substantially L-shaped vertical section as clearly seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example.

Integral with the planar base 34 and projecting forwardly therefrom and in alignment with the apertures 28 of the lid wall 24 are lockbuttons 38 which will project through the apertures 28 of the lid section when the carton is locked, and engage over the abutment edges 30 of Y the apertures.

Formed integral with the planar base 34 and extendinglock buttons 38i.e. when the carton is locked in the manner shown in FIG. 3, the application of inward pressure on one of the lock buttons 38 will be sufiicient to disengage it from its cooperating apertures and tend to cause substantially the entire lock flap to move inwardly below the wall 24 of the lid section and aid to displace both of the lock buttons from the respective apertures 28 of the lid section of which they are engaged. In addition to integration of movement by the bar 40 of the lock flap buttons 38 during opening of the carton, the bar 40 stabilizes the flap so that it acts as a board-like plane, and closing of the carton is materially assisted since a rotary or pivotal movement of the entire lock flap is afforded in a manner similar to what one would expect when placing simultaneous equal force on both buttons 38.

Thus, for example, the bar 40 rigidifies the lock flap to the extent that when closing the carton, pressure on one button alone, i.e. as the lid moves downwardly over the lock flap, results in causing integrated movement of the lock flap and both buttons are moved into the locking position.

Further, the ribs 42-50 and the bar 49 so rigidify the lock flap that the center abutment 53, when engaged by the lock flap during inward pivotal movement during carton closing, serves to equalize or distribute deflection on the lock flap to the extent that only one abutment need be formed on the carton, i.e. those portions similar in appearance to portion 58 (see FIG. 5) and flanking the 3 same are not required to be formed as deflecting abutments.

The carton can be readily locked by holding the carton in one hand and deflecting the locking flap in the center with one finger and subsequently closing the cover downwardly. Further, the carton can also be locked by depressing the lock fiap inwardly adjacent the flap buttons 38 and subsequently closing the cover,

Depending below the lock buttons 38 and substantially in the plane of the bar 40 is a plurality of rib elements 42, 44 and 46 which terminate in the foot portion 36 of the lock flap section. An elongated rib 48 extends between the adjacent portions of the ribs 46, and has a plurality of rib portions 50 depending therefrom and also terminating in the foot 36 of the lock flap section. Formed at the base of rib elements 42 and 44 are angular fillet portions 52, and between the rib elements 50 is a similar angular fillet portion 54.

The bottom section 12 of the carton includes a vertical abutment or stop 56 which will include a forward surface 58 which will engage the inner surface 60 of the fillet portion 54 of the lock flap section; see FIGS. 2 and 3.

The bar 40 in addition to the ribs 4250 stabilize the lock buttons 38 and prevent distortion of the lock flap section utilizing the pre-stressing principals described in detail in applicants copending application #171,174. Additionally, the manner in which the carton is manipulated is described in detail in United States Letters Patent #2,888,183 and a complete description of the operation or manipulation of the carton parts in order to open or close the carton is believed to be unnecessary.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a molded pulp carton including a bottom section having an opposed lid and lock flap section hingedly connected to oppose margins thereof, cooperating lock means on said lock flap and lid sections, said lid section including a substantially planar top wall and depending forward wall, said forward wall including a pair of spaced aperture portions extending therethrough, said lock flap section including a panel removably received beneath said forward wall of said lid section and including a pair of lock buttons projecting forwardly therefrom and in alignment with and removably receivable in said aperture por- '4 tions, said lock flap panel being substantially planar and including a substantially rigid bar extending between opposed portions of said lock buttons for integrating simultaneous movement of said lock buttons when opening or closing the carton.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said lock flap panel includes a plurality of integral ribs depending beneath each of said lock buttons.

3. In a molded pulp carton including a bottom section having an opposed lid and lock flap section hingedly connected to opposed margins thereof, cooperating lock means on said lock flap and lid sections, said lid section including a substantially planar top wall and depending forward wall, said forward wall including a pair of spaced aperture portions extending therethrough, said lock flap section including a panel removably received beneath said forward wall of said lid section and including a pair of lock buttons projecting forwardly therefrom and in alignment with and removably receivable in said aperture portions, said lock flap panel including a substantially rigid bar extending between said lock buttons for integrating movement of said lock buttons when opening the carton, said lock flap panel including a plurality of integral ribs depending beneath each of said lock buttons, said lock flap panel including an elongated rib extending between adjacent intermediate portions of said depending ribs and disposed parallel to said substantially rigid bar.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said lock flap panel includes a plurality of ribs depending beneath said elongated rib.

5. The structure of claim 4 in which said lock flap panel comprises a substantially L-shaped vertical section, said depending ribs beneath said lock buttons and elongated rib terminating at an integral width at lower leg portion of said L-shaped vertical section.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which said bottom section includes vertical-stop, abutment means rearwardly of the hinge connection of said lock flap and said bottom sections, said depending ribs terminating in at least one increased fillet portion in alignment with and engageable on said vertical-stop abutment means.

Hurn et al. Mar. 14, 1961 Brickner et al. June 11, 1963 

1. IN A MOLDED PULP CARTON INCLUDING A BOTTOM SECTION HAVING AN OPPOSED LID AND LOCK FLAP SECTION HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO OPPOSE MARGINS THEREOF, COOPERATING LOCK MEANS ON SAID LOCK FLAP AND LID SECTIONS, SAID LID SECTION INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR TOP WALL AND DEPENDING FORWARD WALL, SAID FORWARD WALL INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED APERTURE PORTIONS EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, SAID LOCK FLAP SECTION INCLUDING A PANEL REMOVABLY RECEIVED BENEATH SAID FORWARD WALL OF SAID LID SECTION AND INCLUDING A PAIR OF LOCK BUTTONS PROJECTING FORWARDLY THEREFROM AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH AND REMOVABLY RECEIVABLE IN SAID APERTURE PORTIONS, SAID LOCK FLAP PANEL BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR AND INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID BAR EXTENDING BETWEEN OPPOSED PORTIONS OF SAID LOCK BUTTONS FOR INTEGRATING SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT OF SAID LOCK BUTTONS WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING THE CARTON. 